UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting qualified individual consultants to provide Political Economic Analysis support.

The main objective of the Consultancy is to provide technical assistance with the production and regular updating of situational reports to inform UNICEF programming.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

1.      Background

Political Economy Analysis (PEA) aims to situate development interventions within an understanding of the prevailing political and economic processes in society – specifically, the incentives, relationships, and distribution and contestation of power between different groups and individuals. Such an analysis can support more politically feasible and therefore more effective development strategies by setting realistic expectations of what can be achieved, over what timescale, and the risks involved.

In view of the above, informed PEA of the current environment is crucial in order for UNICEF to understand structural, cultural and institutional contexts of Zimbabwe. In reality economics and politics are closely inter-related and part of a unified set of dynamics which influence our development outcomes. This PEA will help UNICEF develop a systematic risk and opportunities analysis framework

Against this background, UNICEF requires a specialist independent consultant to provide technical objective analysis of the current context. The consultant will be required to produce weekly, monthly and quarterly reports that can, in real or near-real time, help UNICEF identify opportunities and avoid or predict potential risks both programmatically and operationally.

2.      Objective

The main objective of the Consultancy is to provide technical assistance with the production and regular updating of situational reports to inform UNICEF programming.

3.      Methodology and Expected Outputs

The PEA will use a problem-driven framework. The framework should identify the types of variables that need to be included in the analysis and propose a basic set of relationships among them. It should include three dedicated, but related, phases as outlined below:

i.             Problem identification

This approach focuses the analysis on a particular problem arising in the context in question. This will ensure the analysis is more relevant for operational purposes, rather than simply highlighting salient features of the context in which UNICEFs development interventions take place. The consultant should make use of available material, including relevant outcome indicators, previous programme documentation and previous political economy or other analytical work.

ii.            Problem diagnosis, which will include:

The key structural features including both features of the context that are relatively slow to change or essentially fixed characteristics, and institutional features that may be more susceptible to change over the short to medium term;

Relevant individuals and organisations including their motivations and the types of relationships and balance of power between them.

Relevant analytical concepts that provide insight into key actors’ incentives and decision logics. The diagnosis should draw on relevant analytical concepts that provide some structure to the sets of relationships observed.

iii.           Consideration of plausible change processes

A determination of considerations of potential ameliorative actions can take place only after a diagnosis of the underlying constraints to performance. Priorities for action can best be identified where they are a part of a theory of change consistent with the underlying diagnosis

Data collection will combine both qualitative and quantitative methods.

4.      Deliverables

In total, 34 products/reports are expected to be produced over the 11-month period of the consultancy. All deliverables will have to meet expected quality as assessed by the supervisor of the assignment.

5.      Consultancy Timeframe

Eleven (11) months starting February 2018. However, the offer shall be for an initial 3 months, which will be extended to a maximum period of 11 subject to performance and need.

6.      Consultancy Requirements

Entry Qualifications

Ø  Advanced degree or equivalent in Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, Public Finance or any related Social Science Degree

Work experience

Ø  Demonstrable capacity and experience, of at least 5 years, in Political Economy and Liquidity analysis for a large development organisations is essential. Experience with UN, non-governmental organisations is an added advantage.

Competencies

Ø  Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and ability to foster relationships with key economic and political players;

Ø  A good understanding of the current Political and Economic environment in Zimbabwe.

Ø  Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;

Ø  Strong research and writing skills;

Ø  Computer literacy and knowledge of standard PC software packages (MS. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) is essential. 

In addition to the above; the consultant must be completely independent from the entities under review in any aspect, including management, business transactions, financial or employment relationship. It is the responsibility of the Consultant to declare conflict of interest

7.      Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing professional fees and other miscellaneous expenses

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.